Farming in Uganda

In the UK, the Guardian and Observer newspapers are sponsoring a three-year development project in the sub-county of Katine in north-east Uganda, which is home to 25,000 people. The project is being implemented by two NGOs, AMREF (African Medical & Research Foundation) and Farm Africa. The Guardian's website (www.guardian.co.uk/katine) offers a fascinating insight into life in Katine and the project itself in addition to background articles on development issues. Of particular note are the videos which look at aspects of life in Katine.

One of these looks at the life of Paul Odongo, a farmer, who shows us around his 15 acre farm. This farm would be typical of the farms in the VIVA animal traction project in Koelie and it is interesting to note that he speaks of the importance of having bulls for ploughing.

Another video looks at the issue of distributing bulls to farmers for use in ploughing as an aid intervention. The main concern is that the bulls will be sold on by the recipients to generate some quick cash. However, it is important to note that on the VIVA project three factors make this highly unlikely. Firstly, prior to receiving oxen on our project the recipients must undertake a training course and build the necessary cattle-holding facilities to demonstrate their committment. Secondly, four families share a plough each family owning one oxen so there is a strong social pressure on each family to uphold their end of the bargain when ploughing time comes around. Lastly, each recipient family undertakes to provide another family in the community with the price of an ox within two years from the profits of the increased productivity on their farm. Again this militates against oxen being sold on.

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